Essay
Emergency Medical Services are the base of our health care system. Whether that’s first responders or ambulance operators, they all deserve support. Supporting our EMS isn’t just important for the immediate medical response they take care of communities and everyone inside.
Funding the EMS enables departments to have high-quality programs and staff in small or large cities. Putting money towards Emergency medical services enhances public safety, improves overall health, and also how communities respond to crises. Departments could use this funding to help them buy or afford the new technology that could keep them up to date. Well-trained EMS providers reflect confidence in the community, the more training they go through the less likely they are to make mistakes.
The education system is costly for any job or career path. This bill could give nine hundred dollars to people who complete an initial education course. Also, three hundred and seventy-five dollars for completing a continuing education course. Somebody on the fence about going through all these courses could be drawn in by a little extra reimbursement for their hard work.
This bill covers more than just training and education courses; this reimbursement can include tuition, transportation, food, or lodging. It applies to all emergency medical responders, emergency medical technicians, or paramedics. All of the unspent funds shouldn't be canceled, and the board shouldn't keep any for administrative costs.
Although the funding will be helpful, it is a temporary solution to all the costs of Emergency Medical Services. These payments are only for specific fields of work and people who make under a certain salary. Even the amount of money it pays back would barely be worth the amount of time and training effort you put in.
This bill is very helpful to all services. That involves funding for things like education, equipment, and transportation. Hopefully, this bill can lead to a higher standard at all EMS levels.
Information for the public | National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians. (n.d.). https://www.nremt.org/Document/public-ems
EMS Economics. (n.d.). https://www.naemt.org/initiatives/ems-economics#:~:text=EMS%20is%20uniquely%20positioned%20to,place%2C%20at%20the%20right%20time.
Hursh, A. (2024, July 1). Grant funding for EMS departments: Empowering Volunteer EMS | Lexipol. Lexipol. https://www.lexipol.com/resources/blog/empowering-rural-and-volunteer-ems-departments-through-grant-funding/#:~:text=Lifeline%20for%20EMS-,Grant%20funding%20initiatives%20enable%20rural%20and%20volunteer%20EMS%20departments%20to,help%20these%20departments%20surmount%20challenges.
Albertson-Grove, J., & Albertson-Grove, J. (2024, June 14). One-time EMS funding for rural Minnesota not a fix for ongoing costs. https://www.startribune.com/one-time-ems-funding-not-a-fix-for-ongoing-costs/600373530